IBPS RRB Clerk 2026: Syllabus, Exam Pattern, Eligibility & Salary
The IBPS RRB Office Assistant (Multipurpose) examination is conducted by the Institute of Banking Personnel Selection under the Common Recruitment Process for Regional Rural Banks (CRP RRBs). The recruitment fills Group 'B' non-gazetted clerical cadre positions across participating regional rural banks in India. Under the CRP RRBs XV (2026) framework, selection is determined through a two-tier written examination process without an interview.
Overview
| Conducting Body | Institute of Banking Personnel Selection (IBPS) (2026 Notification) |
|---|---|
| Official Website | www.ibps.in (2026 Notification) |
| Recruitment Drive | CRP RRBs XV (2026 Notification) |
| Post Cadre | Group 'B' – Office Assistant (Multipurpose) (2026 Notification) |
| Selection Stages | Preliminary Examination and Main Examination (2026 Notification) |
| Interview Stage | No interview round (2026 Notification) |
| Final Merit Determination | Based solely on marks secured in the Main Examination (2026 Notification) |
| Negative Marking | Deduction of 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question for each wrong answer (2026 Notification) |
Eligibility
- Nationality: Citizen of India, subject of Nepal or Bhutan, Tibetan refugee who came to India before January 1, 1962 to permanently settle, or a person of Indian origin migrated from Pakistan, Burma, Sri Lanka, or East African countries intending to permanently settle in India (possessing an eligibility certificate issued by the Government of India) (2026 Notification).
- Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree in any discipline from a recognized University or its equivalent (2026 Notification).
- Local Language Proficiency: Mandatory proficiency in the local language of the State/UT of the participating RRB applied for; candidates who have studied the local language in standard 10th or 8th or higher are considered proficient (2026 Notification).
- Computer Knowledge: Working knowledge of computers is listed as a desirable qualification, not a mandatory requirement (2026 Notification).
- Number of Attempts: No restriction specified in the notification, provided the candidate meets the age and eligibility criteria (2026 Notification).
Age limit
- General / EWS: Minimum 18 years and maximum 28 years as on 01.09.2026 (2026 Notification).
- SC / ST: 5 years relaxation up to 33 years (2026 Notification).
- OBC (Non-Creamy Layer): 3 years relaxation up to 31 years (2026 Notification).
- Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 years relaxation (2026 Notification).
- Ex-Servicemen / Disabled ESM: Actual military service rendered plus 3 years (8 years for disabled ESM from SC/ST categories), up to a maximum age ceiling of 50 years (2026 Notification).
- Widows, Divorced Women, and Legally Separated Women (not remarried): Upper age limit extended up to 35 years for General/EWS, 38 years for OBC, and 40 years for SC/ST (2026 Notification).
- 1984 Riot Victims: 5 years relaxation (2026 Notification).
Selection process
- Preliminary Examination — An online objective screening test consisting of Reasoning and Numerical Ability to shortlist candidates for the next stage (2026 Notification).
- Main Examination — An online objective test comprising 5 sections; performance in this stage alone determines final merit and provisional allotment (2026 Notification).
- Document Verification / Local Language Test — Concluding verification stage conducted prior to appointment to confirm credentials and regional language proficiency (2026 Notification).
IBPS RRB Clerk exam pattern
Prelims
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 40 | Composite 45 min |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 40 | Composite 45 min |
Total: 80 questions, 80 marks. Examination duration is a composite time of 45 minutes with no sectional time limits. Negative marking is 1/4th (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question for every incorrect answer. Marks obtained are qualifying only (2026 Notification).
Mains
| Section | Questions | Marks | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reasoning | 40 | 50 | Composite 120 min |
| Computer Knowledge | 40 | 20 | Composite 120 min |
| General Awareness | 40 | 40 | Composite 120 min |
| English Language OR Hindi Language | 40 | 40 | Composite 120 min |
| Numerical Ability | 40 | 50 | Composite 120 min |
Total: 200 questions, 200 marks. Examination duration is a composite time of 2 hours (120 minutes) with no sectional time limits. Candidates opt for either English Language or Hindi Language. Negative marking is 1/4th of the marks assigned to the question for every incorrect answer. Available in English, Hindi, and regional languages (2026 Notification).
IBPS RRB Clerk syllabus
Reasoning
Puzzles · Seating Arrangement (linear, circular, box) · Syllogism · Blood Relations · Direction Sense · Coding-Decoding · Inequalities · Order & Ranking · Alphanumeric Series
Numerical Ability
Simplification & Approximation · Number Series · Quadratic Equations · Data Interpretation (Tables, Bar, Line, Pie, Caselets) · Arithmetic (Ratio, Percentage, Profit & Loss, Simple & Compound Interest, Time & Work, Speed & Distance, Mixtures)
General Awareness
Current affairs (national and international) · Banking and Financial awareness · RBI monetary policy and updates · Government welfare schemes · Static GK
Computer Knowledge
Computer hardware and software basics · Operating systems · MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) · Networking fundamentals · Internet protocols · Cyber Security · DBMS basics · Keyboard shortcuts and abbreviations
English Language / Hindi Language
Reading Comprehension · Cloze Test · Error Detection · Sentence Correction · Para Jumbles · Fill in the Blanks · Vocabulary and Grammar (Muhavare, Sandhi, Vakyansh in Hindi)
Salary
- The IBPS notification does not publish a fixed basic pay or specific salary breakdown; compensation is governed by the individual participating RRBs (2026 Notification).
- Under the DFS 12th Bipartite Settlement standards, the entry-level basic pay for RRB Office Assistants is ₹24,050 (revised from ₹19,900) (2026 Industry standard).
- The estimated gross starting salary ranges from ₹35,000 to ₹37,000 per month depending on location and applicable allowances (2026 Industry standard).
- The probation period is determined by the Board of the allotted RRB, typically spanning 6 months to 1 year for clerical positions (2026 Notification).
Application fee
- SC / ST / PwBD / ESM: ₹175/- (inclusive of GST) (2026 Notification)
- All Others (General, OBC, EWS): ₹850/- (inclusive of GST) (2026 Notification)
Exam calendar
- Online Registration & Fee Payment: September (2026 Notification)
- Preliminary Online Examination: November / December (2026 Notification)
- Preliminary Examination Results: December / January (2026 Notification)
- Main Online Examination: December / February (2026 Notification)
- Provisional Allotment: February / March (2026 Notification)
Preparation tips
- Develop a time-division plan for the 45-minute Prelims window, as there are no sectional time limits between Reasoning and Numerical Ability.
- Focus your study efforts primarily on the Main Examination syllabus, since Prelims scores are qualifying and do not count toward final merit ranking.
- Note the differential marking weights in the Mains exam: Reasoning and Numerical Ability carry 50 marks for 40 questions (1.25 marks per question), while Computer Knowledge carries 20 marks for 40 questions (0.5 marks per question).
- Choose between English and Hindi early in your preparation to develop targeted vocabulary, grammar, and reading comprehension skills.
- Maintain strict question selection accuracy to prevent score deductions from the 1/4th negative marking penalty.
- Verify regional language requirements in advance to ensure you satisfy the 8th or 10th standard proficiency criteria for the chosen state's RRB.
Previous year cut-offs: IBPS RRB Clerk cut off — prelims & mains, category-wise, state-wise
FAQs
Is there an interview for the IBPS RRB Office Assistant post?
No. Under Government of India guidelines for Group 'B' non-gazetted clerical posts, there is no interview for Office Assistant (Multipurpose) (2026 Notification).
Do Preliminary Examination marks count toward the final selection?
No. Marks obtained in the Preliminary Examination are strictly qualifying; provisional allotment and merit ranking depend entirely on marks secured in the Main Examination (2026 Notification).
Is working knowledge of computers mandatory at the time of application?
No. The official notification lists working knowledge of computers as a desirable qualification rather than a mandatory requirement (2026 Notification).
What is the penalty for wrong answers in the exam?
For each wrong answer, 1/4th of the marks assigned to that specific question is deducted in both the Preliminary and Main examinations (2026 Notification).
How many attempts are permitted for IBPS RRB Office Assistant?
There is no limit on the number of attempts specified in the notification, as long as the candidate satisfies the prescribed age and eligibility criteria (2026 Notification).
What languages are available for the examination?
The examination is administered in English, Hindi, and the approved regional/state-specific languages applicable to each participating RRB (2026 Notification).
Sources
- ibps.in (www.ibps.in) Official
- ibps.in (www.ibps.in) Official
- sreedharscce.com (www.sreedharscce.com)
- mahendras.org (www.mahendras.org)
- scoreclever.com (scoreclever.com)
Always confirm details in the latest official notification before applying. Spotted an error? Write to prepzen.app@gmail.com.
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